What to Know About Stranger Things Season 5

Written by: Keya Gambhir

The end of Stranger Things is finally here. After nearly a decade of Demogorgons, the Upside Down, and Hawkins heroics, Netflix is releasing the fifth and final season of the hit series in a unique three-volume rollout that stretches from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.

Season five officially began on Nov. 26, 2025, when the first volume dropped on Netflix with four episodes. The second volume will be released on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, featuring three new episodes. The final and eighth episode of the series will premiere on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Each volume releases at the same time globally, allowing fans to watch simultaneously.

Netflix confirmed that the final season is split across these three dates to build momentum toward the conclusion. It has been three years since season four aired in 2022, and almost ten years since Stranger Things first premiered, making the final season one of the most anticipated releases in Netflix history.

According to Netflix, Hawkins is permanently scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and the town is now under military quarantine. The core group is reunited with one goal: to find and kill Vecna. However, Vecna has disappeared, and his plans remain unknown. Meanwhile, the government has intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her into hiding once again. As the anniversary of Will Byers’ disappearance approaches, a familiar sense of dread returns, signaling that the final battle will be darker and more dangerous than anything the group has faced before.

The episode titles for season five reflect that intensity. The first four episodes are titled “The Crawl,” “The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler,” “The Turnbow Trap,” and “Sorcerer.” The three episodes released on Dec. 25 are “Shock Jock,” “Escape from Camazotz,” and “The Bridge.” The series finale, titled “The Rightside Up,” will be released on Dec. 31.

One of the biggest storylines this season centers on Will Byers. Co-creator Ross Duffer has said that Will’s connection to Vecna and the Upside Down has always been central to the story. He explained that bringing Will back into focus allows the series to come full circle, since Will was the first child taken in season one. Actor Finn Wolfhard described the dynamic by saying, “We have two Elevens,” suggesting that Will’s abilities may be just as crucial in defeating Vecna.

In a first for the show, the Stranger Things finale will also be shown in theaters. Netflix announced that the final episode will screen in more than 500 theaters across the United States and Canada beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 31, the same time it drops on Netflix. The theatrical run will continue through Jan. 1. With a runtime of two hours and five minutes, the finale is essentially a feature-length film. Series creators Matt and Ross Duffer said experiencing the finale on the big screen with fans is the perfect way to end the adventure.

Most of the original cast is returning for the final season. The younger cast includes Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, and Priah Ferguson. Returning teens include Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Maya Hawke, and Amybeth McNulty. Adult cast members include David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Brett Gelman, Cara Buono, and Sherman Augustus. Jamie Campbell Bower returns as Vecna, alongside new cast members Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, Linda Hamilton, and Alex Breaux.

With a massive release schedule, a theatrical finale, and storylines that tie directly back to the beginning, Stranger Things season five promises an emotional and high-stakes farewell to one of television’s most iconic series.